A medical assistant is a health worker in physician offices, ambulatory clinics, and related settings who supports the work of other health professionals. Some of the job duties they perform include filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, arranging laboratory services and hospital admission as well as filing and updating patients’ medical records.
Becoming a medical assistant can be satisfying for many reasons. Here are some of the reasons that would make consider medical assistant as a career path for you:
1. Training Does Not Take Long
It will only take you about a year to earn a diploma or certificate while a degree can be obtained in 24 months or so. Pursuing this profession begins with an obligatory education before going into an entry-level job. A high school diploma is the bare minimum education requirement. Nonetheless, acquiring an associate’s degree or certification through a post-secondary course devoted to medical assisting finds it easier to secure a job. Vocational-technical schools, junior colleges, online universities, and colleges are among the institutions that offer accredited medical assisting courses.
2. Regular Working Hours
Most medical assistants work full time, for an average of 40 hours a week. The schedule not only provides job stability but also allows for personal time. You will also not have to work as much as other personnel like doctors and nurses who work for an average of 60 to 70 hours a week.
3. Good Starting Wage
As of May 2020, the average salary of a medical assistant ranges between $33, 114, and $38, 788, which is roughly $15.50 per hour. Some of the factors that determine the salary are certifications, additional skills, education, and the number of years spent in the profession.
4. Career is Fulfilling
Having a direct impact on people’s lives will, without a doubt, give you meaning in life. The medical assistants interact with people daily who they always put a smile on their faces. It is delightful to lighten the patients’ low moments. Also, assisting and interacting with doctors and nurses will enhance your experience in the medical industry.
5. Opportunities to Advance Career
One of the significant incentives in this career is to use certification to further your career in different areas, such as in medical coding and nursing. Exposure to the healthcare world will often trigger an interest in the medical field. Professional dedication as a medical assistant may also lead to promotion to one becoming a supervisor.
6. High Demand for Medical Assistants
There is an ever-increasing demand for healthcare services, and this guarantees the healthcare providers an opportunity in the job market. The aging population has also grown enormously and, consequently, an increase in patients with growing and consistent medical needs. As such, the number of medical assistants required can never be enough.
One of the best areas to get you started in the healthcare industry is as a medical care assistant. A medical assistant is obliged to assist the physicians and other medical staff with patient care and other clinical and administrative duties. Besides, this exceptional blend of skills will offer you the opportunity to become a significant asset to quality patient care.